The soul of ‘Binaca Geetmala’, legendary Ameen Sayani bids final adieu (Obituary)

Legendary Radio Host Ameen Sayani Passes Away at 91

Mumbai, Feb 21 (IANS) The iconic radio host Ameen Sayani, known for his famous greeting “Namaskar Behno aur Bhaiyon! Main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon..!”, breathed his last after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 91. Sayani, survived by his son Rajil and several grandchildren, was rushed to the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital where he passed away.

Ameen Sayani, best known for his immensely popular countdown show of top Bollywood songs on Radio Ceylon and All India Radio, became a household name with his iconic greeting that remains unparalleled till today. His demise has left a void in the hearts of millions, spanning several generations, who grew up listening to his captivating voice and presenting style.

With a career that spanned over 42 years, Sayani also contributed to English programmes at AIR before focusing solely on Hindi programming. He created a mammoth record of presenting over 54,000 radio programs, more than 19,000 spots or jingles, and appearing in several Hindi films.

Sayani’s contribution to popularizing Hindi film music, especially for those who couldn’t afford expensive gramophone players and record discs, through the ‘Geetmala’ series, cemented his place as a legendary figure in the Indian entertainment industry.

Recognized for his contributions, Ameen Sayani was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2009, the Hindi Ratna Puraskar in 2007, and several other awards and honors.

His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of millions who were captivated by his mesmerizing voice and storytelling abilities.

Quaid Najmi
For IANS